FERGUS Style Soller Beach

The beach is an easy 5 to 10 min walk away, and we swam in the sea every day instead of using the pool. For a quick dip, this hotel’s amazing location makes it easier than staying farther up the hill, even if some of those places may be posher. There are also some amazing restaurants nearby. We stayed in the Annex. Our “double” room was very large, clean and tidy, and we used the safe and fridge. The air con was a bit noisy, but we got used to it. The fittings and fixtures were like a UK Premier Inn, and it was generally quiet apart from the church bell opposite. Front desk, restaurant and cleaning staff were consistently friendly and helpful. We had a late flight and could shower before being picked up for departure.

The balcony was the best part, a great spot to watch the sunset, though nighttime noise from outside came through even with the door shut. The hotel has an 11pm quiet policy, but the noise wasn’t their fault. It’s right at the port, with easy access to the beach and a walk to bars and restaurants. Sea-side rooms have great views. Staff were very helpful, and the breakfast buffet was wonderful. Rooms are on the small, compact side but comfortable and clean. There are no fitness facilities. Towels require a 10 euro deposit.

Our sea-view room had a small balcony with a lovely view of the beach and harbour. Staff were pleasant, and the room had a fridge, TV and tea and coffee making facilities, though the kettle handle gets very hot. There wasn’t much storage, just one drawer for the two of us. The breakfast room is down some steps, and the pool is in a separate building up the road. We only found that out on arrival. To get there, use the side door, turn right past the cafes, cross the road, then enter the building on your right with your room key. Go through the large hallway, and the pool is out the door on the right. There’s level access from the street or side of the hotel into reception, plus a lift and stairs. Breakfast had a huge selection of hot and cold food, juices, smoothies, cereals, fruit, omelettes and pastries. The gluten-free options were disappointing: just bread, tiny chocolate chip cookies and plain, boring cupcakes. There were no dairy-free yoghurts available when I asked, though some local supermarkets sell them.

Here’s a rundown of the problems we had during our September visit: The pool was in a different block on another road, something I should’ve realised, and there weren’t enough loungers or room for them. The pool was small, with plastic grass that didn’t look like it had been cleaned, washed or hoovered. We paid 18 euros a day for a beach bed. Our room was the smallest we’ve ever stayed in, about 18 sq m excluding the balcony. There was a hole in one of the bed sheets, no shower gel, and no tea, coffee or milk despite there being a kettle. The basin was fixed to the wall and out of reach. The TV didn’t work all the time, and BBC1 was the only English-speaking channel. The mugs and glasses never left the room, and we always had the same ones, so presumably they were only rinsed rather than washed, as there was no sink plug. The metal balcony chairs could get hot. At first, the air conditioning gave us trouble because the patio door lock was broken. Slamming the door shut solved it, and the cupboard door was hanging off. A lot of the breakfast crockery and glasses were chipped and dirty. We usually found clean ones after the 6th choice. On the rainy day, we sat near the front of the bar and got dirty looks from the bar staff after having only 1 coffee all day. Certainly a bargain basement hotel.